Les Bowen

STAFF WRITER

Les Bowen has covered the Eagles since 2002. Before that, he covered the Flyers for 13 years. He came to the Daily News from the Charlotte Observer in May 1983, just as the Sixers were winning the NBA championship. He thought, "Gosh, this sort of thing must happen all the time here."

The Eagles announced today that they have signed former Air Force wideout/returner Chad Hall, after a tryout.

The team later announced it would host a pair of veteran free agents today -- ex-Raiders running back Justin Fargas and a former Eagle, wideout Hank Baskett, who finished last season with the Colts. Baskett's inability to field a surprise onside kick was a big moment in Indianapolis's Super Bowl loss to the Saints, but he was a sturdy, reliable reserve with the Birds.

Fargas is the son of actor Antonio Fargas, who played "Huggy Bear" on "Starsky and Hutch."

Hall, 5-8, 185 when he starred as a running back and receiver for the academy, has been on active duty as a second lieutenant the past two years. Here is a link to a story written about him during his senior season of 2007.

Hall worked out Monday at Utah's pro day. Several teams expressed interest, the Eagles more than the others, he said.

Hall, 23, told reporters today in a conference call that he is currently negotiating his departure from the Air Force; right now he is a maintenance officer at Hill Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, working 10 to 12 hours a day, he said.

"Right now I'm part of the 421st Fighter Squadron, the Black Widows," Hall said. "You have 28 F-16s and about 200 troops. Right now I'm the assistant commander, so I'm second in command."

Hall wasn't drafted. He had tryouts with the Falcons and the Bills before beginning his 2-year service commitment.